Lakers embark on one of the most-awaited seasons in franchise history

Soon enough, the curtain will rise, the lights will flicker on and the show will start.

It happens every year in Los Angeles, where basketball fans eagerly await if the Lakers will bring home another National Basketball Association championship trophy to add to their storied collection. This process has already happened 16 times in the organization's history, but this one seems different.

The Lakers, whose season opener begins tonight against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center, enter the 2012-13 campaign after flaming out in two consecutive appearances in the Western Conference semifinals. But the Lakers' optimism for an NBA championship heightened after a highly successful offseason.

The Lakers did so without trading Pau Gasol, the subject last season of many trade rumors. The Lakers still have their main attraction in Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers' season opener marks the first chapter of what should become a dizzying soap opera fit for Hollywood. As Howard said, "popcorn and the lights will come on." The plot: Will the Lakers' talent and splash signings earn them another championship parade in June?

"You still have to consider the Miami Heat the favorite because they're the defending world champions, but the Lakers are right there with them," Lakers legend Magic Johnson said. "It's going to take them a couple of months to get to know each other, probably about three months to become a real team."

Most Lakers fans won't want to wait even for tonight's game before expecting the team to unveil its dominance.

Nash throws dazzling passes Johnson once made during the Showtime Era.

Howard is considered the best NBA center and could follow the Lakers' strong lineage of centers, including George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal with multiple championships and a retired jersey. That's assuming he re-signs after his contract expires following this season. With a stronger supporting cast around him, Bryant won't have to handle the ball as much and could find an easier time finding open shots.

Lakers Coach Mike Brown hired assistant Eddie Jordan to incorporate elements of the Princeton system in his offense, which stresses on passing and cutting. Such concepts could open opportunities up for Gasol, who played second fiddle last season behind Bryant and Andrew Bynum. Lakers forward Metta World Peace reported to training camp at 255 pounds after entering last season weighing 19 pounds heavier.

Still, the Lakers won't guarantee multiple championships.

"Injuries are always the big thing," said Bryant, who's a game-time decision for the Lakers' season opener because of a strained right foot.

"Big-time Laker fans remember that '89 season and the great team that they had and a couple injuries changed the dynamics of the Finals."

During the 1988-89 season, the Lakers finished first in the Pacific Division and entered the NBA Finals with an 11-0 playoff record.

But the Detroit Pistons swept the Lakers in the NBA Finals partly because of hamstring injuries to Johnson and Byron Scott.

The current Lakers also have health concerns.

Howard and Nash have back issues to monitor. Bryant has logged 59,658 total minutes in his storied 17-year career. With the Lakers' averaging 32.6 years in age, it remains to be seen whether they can handle the speedy Oklahoma City Thunder present.

The Lakers aren't worried about their 0-8 exhibition record. But they only had one game featuring their entire starting lineup. Jamison and Meeks during the preseason combined to average 10.3 points on 27.8 percent shooting. The Lakers say they've learned roughly half of their offense. And Brown will face a skeptical public if he's unable to maximize the immense talent the Lakers have handed him.

That's why Brown's preaching "togetherness."

"That's going to help us in a Game 7 during the playoffs and when we face adversity," Brown said. "The expectations out there are extremely high so there is a lot of chatter. We have to ignore the noise and make sure we stay united."

With the show about to begin, the Lakers will soon find out how the plot unfolds. The public will expect an impressive production.

Said Howard: "If we keep up with the process and stay patient at the end of year, we'll be holding up the trophy."